The Distracted Dreamer

Carlene Bauwens
  • 5.0 (19)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Get ready to confidently and unapologetically go after dreams! Welcome to The Distracted Dreamer Podcast. Today is the day you’re going to pull your dreams off the shelf and bring them to the forefront of your life. You are never too tired, too busy, too old, too young, too anything to pursue your dreams. Imagine… the joy and excitement of doing what lights you up. Your dreams are yours. No one gets to take them from you and no one gets to chase them - except you. Your dreams are there to guide you, to inspire you and to show you that yes, there is something more in store for you. You see, the size of your dreams don’t matter - it could be running a marathon, reading a book series, perfecting that family recipe, traveling the world, or learning to dance. I’m Carlene Bauwens, entrepreneur,  Life Coach and now host of The Distracted Dreamer podcast. I’m here to show you how to kick distraction to the curb and grab hold of your dreams. Your happiness matters. You have a big, beautiful, amazing life to live. And you've only got one of them. Welcome to the Distracted Dreamer Podcast.

  1. 5D AGO

    #74: Why You Feel "Meh": The 4-Step Framework to Finally Fix It

    Send Carlene a text or voicemail Have you ever made a promise to yourself that you'd do something important… and then avoided it? The truth is, every time we say something matters and don't act on it, we erode our confidence. Do it long enough and you stop trusting yourself. What if the reason you can't seem to follow through has nothing to do with discipline, motivation, or willpower — and everything to do with your identity? In this episode, I'm sharing a 4-step identity alignment framework — originally developed around money mindset and adapted here for women in midlife — that explains why so many of us feel stuck, scattered, and disconnected from our dreams.  Whether you're rediscovering who you are after years of pouring into everyone else, navigating a major life transition, or simply tired of saying "someday" — this framework is the missing piece. ✨ KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE: That "meh" disconnected feeling isn't a mood — it's a sign there's a gap between how you live each day and your valuesYour confidence isn't gone, it's overdrawn — and you can start making deposits todayChange your language from "I want" to "I will" and you move from wishing to choosing who you are becomingWhen you start behaving like the person you're becoming, you will start to see a more confident you in the mirrorConsistency doesn't mean perfect — it means showing up the day after you didn't🎧 Grab your coffee, find a quiet corner, and let's get into it. DOWNLOAD THE FREE START DREAMING AGAIN GUIDE Check out all my coaching and course offerings - Coachcarlene.com MORE FROM ME Follow me on Instagram:  @coach_carlene SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps me reach more dreamers who need these insights. 🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to the Distracted Dreamer Podcast! See you next week! FOLLOW NOW Also, if you haven't done so already, follow the podcast. I'm adding episodes every week, and if you're not folllowing, there's a good chance you'll miss out. Follow now! Episode Website

    24 min

  2. MAR 30

    #73: How to Lead Yourself Through Midlife — and Why the People You Love Need You To

    Send Carlene a text or voicemail We don't talk about this enough: the years after raising kids, after caregiving, after decades of showing up for everyone else — those years are not the winding down. They are not the epilogue. They are a new chapter opening, and it might just be the most powerful one of your life. You are not who you were in your thirties. You are wiser. You have less patience for what doesn't matter and more clarity about what does. You've lived through enough to know that time is not infinite — and that is not a sad thing. That is a clarifying thing. So what are you going to do with that clarity? That's what this episode is about. I walk you through what it really means to lead yourself in this season: claiming your dreams, advocating for your health, and showing up as the woman you've been becoming all along. You’ll learn three simple daily practices to start leading your own life on purpose, starting today, because someday is now. 💡 KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE:  1️⃣ What self-leadership actually looks like when your body, your dreams, and your identity are all shifting at once 2️⃣ The clarity you've earned through everything you've lived? That's your superpower. 3️⃣ When you choose yourself in this season, the people watching you learn what's possible — that's a legacy DOWNLOAD THE FREE START DREAMING AGAIN GUIDE Check out all my coaching and course offerings - Coachcarlene.com MORE FROM ME Follow me on Instagram:  @coach_carlene SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps me reach more dreamers who need these insights. 🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to the Distracted Dreamer Podcast! See you next week! FOLLOW NOW Also, if you haven't done so already, follow the podcast. I'm adding episodes every week, and if you're not folllowing, there's a good chance you'll miss out. Follow now! Episode Website

    27 min

  3. MAR 23

    #72: Feeling Lost? How to Recalibrate What You’ve Outgrown

    Send Carlene a text or voicemail Lately, I’ve been thinking about how easy it is to keep living a life that no longer fits… just because it once did. I’m talking about that moment when you realize you don’t want what you used to want—and how unsettling that can feel. But also? How powerful it can be. In this episode, I’m sharing what it looks like to outgrow parts of your life—and how to recalibrate without burning everything down, including: The subtle ways we stay stuck in old patterns—and how to let go of outdated expectationsHow to become an observer of your own life and recognize where you’re still living like your past selfHow to uncover the hidden space and energy you didn’t realize you hadSometimes, the problem isn’t that you’re lost… It’s that you’ve changed—you’re evolving, and your life hasn’t caught up yet. And this next version of your life? You get to shape it—through small, intentional steps toward a life that actually reflects who you are now. 3 Key Takeaways from this episode: ✨ Feeling “off” is often a signal that something is ready to shift ✨ When you become an observer of your life, you uncover powerful data showing you where to recalibrate ✨ The life you built isn’t wrong… there just might be pieces that don’t fit anymore DOWNLOAD THE FREE START DREAMING AGAIN GUIDE Check out all my coaching and course offerings - Coachcarlene.com MORE FROM ME Follow me on Instagram:  @coach_carlene SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps me reach more dreamers who need these insights. 🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to the Distracted Dreamer Podcast! See you next week! FOLLOW NOW Also, if you haven't done so already, follow the podcast. I'm adding episodes every week, and if you're not folllowing, there's a good chance you'll miss out. Follow now! Episode Website

    19 min

  4. MAR 16

    #71: The Tiny Winks You're Missing: How Life Quietly Supports You

    Send Carlene a text or voicemail What if life is quietly supporting you… and you’re just too busy to see it?  In this episode of The Distracted Dreamer, I’m sharing a few recent moments that felt like tiny “winks” — the kind of perfectly timed experiences that remind you you’re not navigating life alone.  Because sometimes the invitation, the connection, or the guidance we need is already right in front of us.  We just have to slow down enough to notice.  KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE  1️⃣ Trust and connection grow when you believe you’re not doing life alone  2️⃣ We’re wired to notice problems but often overlook the good placed in front of us  3️⃣ Support can show up in the most unexpected ways Life might be supporting you more than you realize. The question is: are you noticing? DOWNLOAD THE FREE START DREAMING AGAIN GUIDE Check out all my coaching and course offerings - Coachcarlene.com MORE FROM ME Follow me on Instagram:  @coach_carlene SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps me reach more dreamers who need these insights. 🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to the Distracted Dreamer Podcast! See you next week! FOLLOW NOW Also, if you haven't done so already, follow the podcast. I'm adding episodes every week, and if you're not folllowing, there's a good chance you'll miss out. Follow now! Episode Website

    15 min

  5. MAR 9

    #70: The Empty Nest Shift That Makes You Ask: Who Am I Now?

    Send Carlene a text or voicemail The empty nest isn’t just about your kids leaving home. It’s about who you are when the house gets quiet. In this episode, I’m sharing what it really feels like to move from being everything to your kids to parenting adult children — and why this season can leave you asking, Who am I now? We’re talking about the grief no one prepares you for, the pride that lives right alongside it, and the push-and-pull of loving your grown kids without holding them too tightly. If you’ve organized your life around motherhood and now find yourself in a quieter house wondering what’s next — not just for them, but for you — this conversation is for you. Because the empty nest isn’t the end of your purpose. It’s the beginning of a new chapter. 3 KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE Both grief and excitement can live in the same heart — and neither cancels the other out.It’s safe to build a life that includes your grown kids and your own dreams.The empty nest isn’t a loss of identity — it’s the door cracking open to discover what’s next for you.This season may feel tender. But it’s also preparing you for something new. DOWNLOAD THE FREE START DREAMING AGAIN GUIDE Check out all my coaching and course offerings - Coachcarlene.com MORE FROM ME Follow me on Instagram:  @coach_carlene SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps me reach more dreamers who need these insights. 🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to the Distracted Dreamer Podcast! See you next week! FOLLOW NOW Also, if you haven't done so already, follow the podcast. I'm adding episodes every week, and if you're not folllowing, there's a good chance you'll miss out. Follow now! Episode Website

    15 min

  6. MAR 2

    #69: A Stress Plan: 4 Ways to Take Charge Before It Hits

    Send Carlene a text or voicemail Most of us try to manage stress when it’s already happening. We see stress as something that just happens to us. But what if it’s something we can prepare for? In this episode, I share a coaching story that completely reframed how I think about high-pressure seasons. Because stressful weeks aren’t the problem — walking into them without a strategy is. Whether it’s a hard conversation with someone you love, an overwhelming stretch of responsibilities and commitments, or a moment you know will activate you, there is a way to prepare your nervous system ahead of time. This episode will help you stop reacting to stress and start leading yourself through it. You can’t eliminate stress. But you can make a plan to manage it — so it doesn’t manage you. 3 KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE Planning for stress is not fear-mongering — it’s wisdom.Preparing ahead of time makes stressful moments feel lighter and more manageable.Pushing through is not a strategy — planning is.DOWNLOAD THE FREE START DREAMING AGAIN GUIDE Check out all my coaching and course offerings - Coachcarlene.com MORE FROM ME Follow me on Instagram:  @coach_carlene SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps me reach more dreamers who need these insights. 🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to the Distracted Dreamer Podcast! See you next week! FOLLOW NOW Also, if you haven't done so already, follow the podcast. I'm adding episodes every week, and if you're not folllowing, there's a good chance you'll miss out. Follow now! Episode Website

    17 min

  7. FEB 23

    #68: When Stress Hits: 3 Ways to Regain Control

    Send Carlene a text or voicemail There are moments when stress doesn’t politely knock — it barges in. Your heart races. Your thoughts scatter. Everything feels urgent. And suddenly, you’re not leading your life… you’re reacting to it. In this episode of The Distracted Dreamer, I’m walking you through what stress actually is, why we default to reactive mode, and three powerful shifts that help you regain control in the moment. This isn’t about eliminating stress or pretending life isn’t heavy. It’s about learning how to manage stress by leading yourself through it. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, tense, or stuck in the spiral lately, this conversation will help you steady your nervous system, quiet false urgency, and think clearly again — even when everything feels loud. 3 KEY TAKE AWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE: Stress is activation — and activation can be managed.You may not control every event, but you always have influence over your response.Feeling stressed doesn’t mean you’re incapable — it means you care.If this episode resonates, share it with someone who needs a little steadiness right now.  DOWNLOAD THE FREE START DREAMING AGAIN GUIDE Check out all my coaching and course offerings - Coachcarlene.com MORE FROM ME Follow me on Instagram:  @coach_carlene SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps me reach more dreamers who need these insights. 🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to the Distracted Dreamer Podcast! See you next week! FOLLOW NOW Also, if you haven't done so already, follow the podcast. I'm adding episodes every week, and if you're not folllowing, there's a good chance you'll miss out. Follow now! Episode Website

    20 min

  8. FEB 16

    #67: The Science of Slowing Down: Breaking the Produce More Mindset

    Send Carlene a text or voicemail For years, we’ve been told to produce more, optimize more, multitask more. And somewhere along the way, we started believing our value lives in how much we get done. In this episode, I’m diving into the science of slowing down — and what constant productivity is actually doing to our nervous systems, creativity, and dreams. Because if you’ve been feeling wired, tired, distracted, or disconnected from what you really want… this might be why. We’ll explore the research behind task-switching and switching costs, how chronic low-grade stress keeps your nervous system activated, and why multitasking isn’t the superpower we’ve been told it is. I’ll also share practical ways to break the “produce more” mindset by creating white space, slowing your hurry, and learning to single-task again. If producing more has quietly become tied to your sense of worth, this conversation may gently remind you that you are already worthy — simply because you are. 3 KEY TAKE AWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE:  1️⃣ Exhaustion is a symptom of nervous system overload.  2️⃣ Multitasking isn’t helping you move faster — it is training you to break your focus  3️⃣ Your dreams don’t need more effort — they need more space. This isn’t about doing nothing. It’s about slowing down enough to remember what matters — and making room for the dreams that have been waiting for you. DOWNLOAD THE FREE START DREAMING AGAIN GUIDE Check out all my coaching and course offerings - Coachcarlene.com MORE FROM ME Follow me on Instagram:  @coach_carlene SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps me reach more dreamers who need these insights. 🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to the Distracted Dreamer Podcast! See you next week! FOLLOW NOW Also, if you haven't done so already, follow the podcast. I'm adding episodes every week, and if you're not folllowing, there's a good chance you'll miss out. Follow now! Episode Website

    18 min
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About

Get ready to confidently and unapologetically go after dreams! Welcome to The Distracted Dreamer Podcast. Today is the day you’re going to pull your dreams off the shelf and bring them to the forefront of your life. You are never too tired, too busy, too old, too young, too anything to pursue your dreams. Imagine… the joy and excitement of doing what lights you up. Your dreams are yours. No one gets to take them from you and no one gets to chase them - except you. Your dreams are there to guide you, to inspire you and to show you that yes, there is something more in store for you. You see, the size of your dreams don’t matter - it could be running a marathon, reading a book series, perfecting that family recipe, traveling the world, or learning to dance. I’m Carlene Bauwens, entrepreneur,  Life Coach and now host of The Distracted Dreamer podcast. I’m here to show you how to kick distraction to the curb and grab hold of your dreams. Your happiness matters. You have a big, beautiful, amazing life to live. And you've only got one of them. Welcome to the Distracted Dreamer Podcast.

Information

  • Creator
    Carlene Bauwens
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    75
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Coach Carlene
  • Show Website
    The Distracted Dreamer